Cork is Lough’d in as Spillane floats his ‘magnum opus’

Cork folk legend John Spillane released what he described as his most artistically ambitious album to date at one of Leeside’s most iconic spots over the weekend.

The latest feather in Spillane’s cap, ‘Fíoruisce - The Legend of the Lough’, is a two hour Gaelic folk opera launched yesterday, Sundy, at the place that inspired it all – The Lough.

The launch was accompanied by an interactive exhibition created by artist Megan Clancy, followed by a listening party at MTU Cork School of Music on Union Quay.

The first track from the album, ‘Réamhcheol/Overture’, was released at the end of August accompanied by a stunning video filmed on the water at The Lough. The video was directed and edited by Aldoc Productions and stars Nigel Grufferty. Commenting on the track, Spillane said he hopes it will serve to set the scene for the epic double CD album.

“We had a great day shooting the video at The Lough itself,” he said.

“I love working with Al, he puts so much care into his craft and the results are always beautiful. There was a nice community feeling on the day. Not only did we get the naomhóg from Pádraig Ó Duinnín and the fabulous costumes from Geata Arts, we were also joined by the regulars of the Lough who cheered us on from behind the scenes,” added Spillane.

‘Fíoruisce - The Legend of the Lough’ is a three-act bilingual folk opera described by its creator as a “re-Gaelicisation” of the Victorian Cork fairytale ‘Fior-usga’ collected by Thomas Crofton Croker in the 1800s and published in his book ‘Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland’ in 1828. The story tells of a drowned kingdom, which as lore tells us, becomes The Lough in Cork city as we know it today. Some say you can see the tops of the underworld towers on a clear day and hear the music of their big party on midsummer’s night.

The album features the voices of some of the most talented folk and sean nóssingers of the age, including Ríoghnach Connolly, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Niamh Farrell, and Nell Ní Chróinín.

Described by Spillane as his “magnum opus”, the project draws on his lifelong dedication to storytelling, the Irish language, and music. The text, Spillane explained, is inspired by the “wonderful richness” of the literary and oral Gaelic storytelling tradition, citing the likes of Cork writers Peadar Ó Laoghaire and Seán Ó Tuama as major influences.

Spillane’s new album, ‘Fíoruisce - The Legend of the Lough’, is available on CD and digital from tomorrow, Friday.